RPI chief offers Satara LS seat to Udayanraje Bhosale

Mumbai: Union minister and Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Ramdas Athawale offered the Satara Lok Sabha seat to NCP MP Udayanraje Bhosale on an RPI ticket as Mr Bhosale’s party might refuse him candidature.

Mr Athawale said he would contact Mr Bhosale in two to three days and discuss the matter with him.

NCP president Sharad Pawar held review meetings on Saturday and Sunday recently ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Many leaders had opposed giving a ticket to Mr Bhosale. Mr Pawar may give a ticket to NCP leader Shriniwas Patil. Mr Bhosale has a good equation with the BJP.

Mr Athawale said, “If the Shiv Sena contests the polls in an alliance with the BJP, the RPI will demand two seats from the latter for the Lok Sabha polls and if the Sena goes it alone, the RPI will demand four seats.

Talking about the state Cabinet expansion, Mr Athawale said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will keep his word will give one minister’s post to our party.

Mr Athawale will be meeting Mr Fadnavis in two days to discuss the controversy surrounding the height of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue.